Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-07-27

~ AASbi "ipAllS away Dci lCilSs ollC
stood up, and putting on her things,
went out for a walk.
Far ahead of her the dead leaves
were whirling in little eddIes, and
heaplng themselves at the side of the
road.
She picked up long, slender stick,
and began turning over the leaves as
she passed, finding languid sort of
enjoyment in her occupation.
All at once she started
Surely that was no monster leafI
No. but well-filled, worn leather
pocket-book, half covered with the
hurrying leaves.
Prudie stopped and picked 1t up.
at that moment her bad angel must
have been passing. for she glanced fur
lively around her, and seeing no one,
thrust it into the breast of her jacket,
and walked on with hasty steps.
| AS she neared home she met Mrs.
Taylor, who exclaimed, Laws, child,
how white you arel Have you heard
the newsp Old Mr.. Bryant has lost
his pocket-book with over five hundred
pounds In it. He's been postin' up a
reward for it-twenty pounds. There's
one of them''-pontlng to a bill at the
corner.
Prudie read 1t hastily, and excusing
herself, passed into her fathers yard.
On entering the house she found not
a waiting father, but note lying upon
the table.
1t was just at the hour of twilight,
and she lighted the little reading-lamp
and read
"Your uncle IS very Ill at Man.
chester. and L am obliged 10 leave by
| 4 frli "A hnpn
morrow.
FATHER"
Thus left to herself, she closed every
blind and drew every curtain in the
little cottage. CHANGING stealthily
around into every corner OF the dark
ened apartment. she drew the heavy
pocket-book from her breast and
opened 1t. Yes, there it was, more
money than she had ever seen together
before In her life. Need l say that she
was tempted? The poverty of her
every day life rose before her-the
bright love dream of her life, which lay
In ashes at her feet, passed before her
mental vision. No one saw her pick
the pocket-book up. She could de-
stroy it, and even her own father would
never know. Mr.. Bryant was the
owner of half-million; he would never
AtCA lllC lOo5, willie SllC llOoI lOAAs III
loved, because she was poor. Instinc-
lively her hand took up the pocket
book and the few papers it contained,
and placed them in the open CRATE,
Then she went for wood and a match.
She struck the match. 1t burned with
a feeble ray, but that one ray cast all its
light upon one line of an ancient illum-
mated Ten Commandments" which
hung upon the wall, and that line shone
out like text of fire. Thou shalt not
stoai-n The match fell from the out
stretched hand. the articles Were
snatched from the crate, and she re
placed everything as she first found
them. Then the white lips whispered
-"Am / theft" Conscience an
swered-"Almost-n quite" Morn
ing came cold and gray, The morning
of the last day of the year, the morning
before Mrs. Bryant's party. Before
nine O'Clock Prudie Warner was agaiI
dressed in her gray walking-suit and
) in the street-thiS time bound for the
great house upon the hill. 1t was q
;imid little pull that Prudie gave the
bell, but it was Immediately answered
by Mrs. Bryant herself, who kissed
Prudie affectionately as she entered.
IN Y dear, why have you not called
on us before? l have been telling Eva
all about you, and have looked for you
every clear day.
I'VE have been very lonely since
Lee has been to London, but he returns
to-day. Come in and see Eva;n and
she hurried embarrassed Prudie into
the breakfast-room.
; "My niece, Eva Eaton, Miss
Warner" she continued.
why. Prudie, how dazed you lookl''
"Well L may" said Prudie, recov-
ering herself. ~ found Mr.. Bryant S
pocket-book."
ais that so?'' cried Mr.. Bryant from
the other side of the room. "Where
on earth was it?''
Prudle explained as well as she was
able, while amidst all the exclamations
and questions that followed, golden
haired Eva Eaton had slipped in the
seat by the side of Prudie, and had
managed to whisper, Lee told me all
about you, dear"
"Wel, Prudie," said Mr.. Bryant,
) ''you are 4 very honest little girl;
just the one L want for daughter-in-
law"
"Charlesl' said Mrs. Bryant, re-
prOachfullly, while Prudie's bushes
deepened.
Never mind the joke, Prudie; here
is the reward"
And Mr.. Bryant held out, not a
, twenty pound note, but one for Il
hundred pounds, for Prudie to accept.
; mo, Mr.. Bryant" she sand, tlrmly;
, 81 cannot take it-indeed L canuotl'
, And she held fast to her resolution. i'll
i spite of all their persuasions. She
started towards her home a much
l lighter hearted little girl than when
, he left 1t; but still in her heart she
, thought, '.Wtat would they think of
, ME II they knew all?' When she
reached home someone WAS waiting for
= her. 1t was Lee.
II could not go home before / saw
= you, Prudle," he said. Sea what l
, bought for you in London"
And he held up a brilliant, sparkling
, ring, set in the finest gold. Then she
| was obliged TO answer Il question which
. made two young hearts the happieSt
in all Wellington.
; s'Now, darling, this your engage
4 ment ring-this is your new years
present"
q And lie drew iewel-case from bis
4 pocket containing an entire set oI
= rubies TO match the ring In setting and
brilIiancy.
3 And l want you to wear them al
D tonight
Miss BeIden and her set gave up al
! thought of dropping Prudence Warner
{ when they SAW her enter Mrs. BRYANT!
drawing-room that evening upon tht
a arm of her betrothed husband, anC
saw how affectionately she was greeted
s by her host and hostess. Her bright
piquant face radiant with happiness
t the glittering, cleaning jewels an'
g the despised blue silk, make pictur
= no one could surpass. And lovely Ev;
s Eaton was by her side, a friend who's
r friendship was ever after one of til
e bright spots of her existence. Lon
: after she told her husband the story O
q her temptation. n kiss was his reply
| -1-. No